The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.
Fall stated this at the inaugural Project Steering Committee meeting of the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Population in Adamawa, Yobe and Kano States in Nigeria (SIDPIN).
The meeting, organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Abuja, also reviewed the European Union (EU) Support for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions in Sokoto (SPADS) project and explored ways to strengthen collaboration in supporting displaced persons and host communities across the BAY states and other affected areas.
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According to Fall, the UN remains committed to supporting long-term solutions that promote dignity, self-reliance and social inclusion for displaced populations.
He said that through its Common Programme on Durable Solutions, the UN reached more than 200,000 children and adolescents in 2025 with education and skills development initiatives in communities prioritising durable solutions.
He added that nearly 150,000 people were supported to access sustainable livelihood opportunities, while close to 40,000 individuals regained access to essential civil documentation.
“We must continue to build on local solutions that are owned by communities and on practical examples that can be expanded and sustained,” he said.
Fall noted that Nigeria currently hosts about 3.5 million internally displaced persons, particularly in areas covered by IOM operations.
He stressed that displacement should not be viewed solely as a humanitarian concern.
“Displacement is also a development challenge and a human rights imperative. No one should be left behind in the long journey towards dignity.
“The momentum for durable solutions is growing in Nigeria, and it must continue to grow stronger,” he said.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, said sustained collaboration among stakeholders remained critical to achieving durable solutions for displaced and vulnerable populations.
He said the progress recorded under various intervention programmes reflected the collective commitment of the government and development partners to improving the livelihoods of displaced persons and host communities.
“While humanitarian interventions remain indispensable, experience has shown that durable solutions require a more integrated approach that bridges humanitarian action, development efforts and peacebuilding initiatives,” he said.
Also speaking, Gautier Mignot, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s support for solutions-driven interventions aimed at addressing the long-term needs of communities affected by insecurity and displacement.
According to him, sustainable recovery requires investments that create opportunities and strengthen local economies.
“We need to build a future, and this future is still largely unbuilt. This can only happen if we focus on sustainable investment.
“Sustainable investment requires economic analysis, proper planning and the involvement of the private sector,” Mignot said.
The EU-funded projects place strong emphasis on improving living conditions and strengthening the resilience of women, children and other vulnerable groups affected by displacement and related socio-economic challenges.
